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TEEMU'S TARGET

Teemu Tainio has underlined the importance of getting off to a good start against Slavia Prague in our UEFA Cup first round, second leg at the Lane on Thursday night.

Teemu Tainio has underlined the importance of getting off to a good start against Slavia Prague in our UEFA Cup first round, second leg at the Lane on Thursday night.

We go into the tie with a 1-0 lead thanks to Jermaine Jenas’ fine strike in Prague.

Midfielder Teemu, who gained European experience at Auxerre, warned: “We can’t allow Slavia Prague to have any belief and try to kill the game early.

“When you play away first it’s important to score a goal, we did that and we are in a good position but in my experience, it’s definitely not over yet.

“I’m sure it will be the game of the season for Slavia and they will try to do something special at White Hart Lane. We have to be ready for that. We know we’re favourites and we have to play like it.

“If we let them get a foot in the game they will grow in confidence so we have to make sure that doesn’t happen and be ready for them from the start.

“People think one away goal and that’s it, but it’s the same story for Slavia. If they score it’s level in the tie but we know the position, we know we have to go out and try and win the game and that will take us through to the group stages.”

Teemu admitted he hasn’t been happy with his own form of late. “The team is more important but I haven’t played well. I’ve been thinking about what is missing because I’m not doing the same things I did last season, perhaps I’m not fully fit yet, but I felt much better at Liverpool and maybe it will come now.”